According to Maj. Jerry Shepherd with the sheriff's office, Hoppock had been to the residence before and the dogs knew him.
"For some reason, this time the dogs attacked him," Shepherd explained. "Sheriff Hoppock was able to get off one shot (from his revolver) and hit one of the dogs in the head, but that didn't even slow down the dog."
Hoppock, 56, suffered injuries to one of his legs and both of his arms from multiple dog bites.
He was treated at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon, then transferred to Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Ky., to be treated for torn tendons in his left arm. Hoppock has returned home and is said to be resting at this time.
Veterinarian Dr. Laurent Bass of North Vernon was called to the scene. Since the dogs were not current on their rabies vaccinations, Bass recommended keeping the animals quarantined and alive at this point until all possible tests can be completed.
After that, Shepherd said, he expects the animals will be destroyed.
Hoppock is serving his second term as Sheriff. He was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010.
(Plain Dealer Sun - Dec 21, 2011)
